A Fine Set of Fins

Is there anyone who doesn’t love a car with tailfins?

They’re very much of a time and place but, more than 60 years after the peak of their popularity, a shiny pair of fins still stops people in their tracks. They may have fallen out of favour with car manufacturers, but punters still love them.

One of those punters is Capricorn Area Manager for New South Wales, Nick Casu — and we’ve bent the definition of “Member Ride” this month to show you his fantastic 1960 Cadillac de Ville.

It was Cadillac who first introduced tailfins, and the Cadillac de Ville is probably the most famous and recognisable finned car produced during that golden era of American automotive manufacturing.

“I have loved the 1959 and 1960 Cadillacs since I was little, due to the big fins and the size of these cars,” Nick said.

Not content to admire these beautiful machines from afar, Nick began the search for a Cadillac for a restoration project.

“I did two trips to Queensland and one to Victoria,” he said. “I did two car inspections over the internet for cars located in the USA. I finally found this one in Newcastle (NSW) and I’ve now had this car for 10 years.”

It has the original 390 big-block engine and a Jetaway automatic transmission. Nick has been busy getting the de Ville just the way he wants it and giving it the mechanical and aesthetic attention it deserves. He’s rebuilt the drive train and reconditioned the engine, transmission and diff.

All the chrome and stainless steel has been rechromed and polished. He’s added three-layer pearl orange paint and a cream leather interior and 22-inch deep dish wheels (alongside a front 6 pot caliper disc conversion). A read disc conversion and adding air conditioning are still on the project’s to-do list.

The results of Nick’s hard work are clear to see. It’s a stunning car. And while Nick mostly uses it for family drives and takes it to the occasional car show, it’s no surprise the de Ville has been in demand for family events — playing a key role in Nick’s son’s christening and his cousin’s wedding.

What’s in store for the car in the future? Fittingly, given Nick’s obsession with this finned car began as a small boy, he’s promised the de Ville to his own young son.

“So, hopefully it will stay in the family for a while to come,” Nick said.

The love of cars with tailfins is clearly here to stay for another generation.

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